Expedia review: Confirmed flight and illegal behavior from overseas agent

I had a very upsetting encounter with one of Expedias overseas representatives this week. His name is James and I suppose that was at their India location.

I called Expedia because I needed to add my 13 year old son to a flight that I booked 2 days earlier for my 18 year old son.

Both flight are going from Chicago to Frankfurt nonstop.

When I called the agent he immediately told me that he sees something disturbing on the booked and confirmed flight for my 18 year old son. When I ask to verify James told me that only the flight back from Germany to Chicago was confirmed but not the flight from Chicago to Germany. He further went on to tell me that I booked a discounted flight and the seats are limited and if I don’t pay another $480 each to upgrade the ticket my 18 year old son would not get on the flight. When I asked when the next flight would be he told me not until June.

I told James that I would call the Airline directly to verify. He then threatened me and said if I do that my son for sure would not get on that flight. I was worried that James would go into my account to cancel the ticket I booked.

Is this now a common practice of Expedia? Are their agents working on commission and threat customers to upgrade? Is this common practice or a scam?

I called the airline directly and they added my younger son, gave me free seat assignments and assured me that all tickets are confirmed.